U.S. patent application number 09/906909 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-09 for livestock feed composition and its production method.
Invention is credited to Yamamoto, Masahiro.
Application Number | 20020054935 09/906909 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26596263 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020054935 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yamamoto, Masahiro |
May 9, 2002 |
Livestock feed composition and its production method
Abstract
The invention offers a method for producing a livestock feed
composition including steps of adding Aspergillus to a feed
material comprising at least two types chosen from among a fibrous
feed material, a cereal material and an organic waste material, and
allowing the Aspergillus to incubate, and a livestock feed
composition produced by such a process.
Inventors: |
Yamamoto, Masahiro;
(Kagoshima-ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PEARNE & GORDON LLP
526 SUPERIOR AVENUE EAST
SUITE 1200
CLEVELAND
OH
44114-1484
US
|
Family ID: |
26596263 |
Appl. No.: |
09/906909 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/52 ;
426/623 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 426/807 20130101;
A23K 10/26 20160501; Y02P 60/87 20151101; Y02P 60/877 20151101;
A23K 10/37 20160501; A23K 10/12 20160501; Y10S 426/805 20130101;
A23K 50/30 20160501 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/52 ;
426/623 |
International
Class: |
A23J 001/12; A23K
001/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 18, 2000 |
JP |
2000-218113 |
Aug 29, 2000 |
JP |
2000-259985 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for producing a livestock feed composition comprising
steps of combining Aspergillus with at least two types of feed
materials chosen from the group consisting of a fibrous feed
material, a cereal material and an organic waste material, and
allowing said Aspergillus to incubate to form an
Aspergillus-containing livestock feed composition.
2. A method for producing a livestock feed composition in
accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of combining comprises
adding a cereal material or an organic waste material not
containing animal proteins to a fibrous feed material.
3. A method for producing a livestock feed composition in
accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of combining comprises
adding an organic waste material to a fibrous feed material or a
cereal material.
4. A method for producing a livestock feed composition in
accordance with claim 1, wherein said Aspergillus is chosen from
the group consisting of Asp. oryzae, Asp. awamori and Asp.
sojae.
5. A method for producing a livestock feed composition in
accordance with claim 1, wherein said Aspergillus is chosen from
the group consisting of Asp. oryzae kawachii and Asp. awamori
kawachii.
6. A method for producing a livestock feed composition in
accordance with claim 1, wherein said fibrous feed material
comprises one or more materials chosen from the group consisting of
wheat bran, barley bran, rice bran, hay and beet pulp.
7. A method for producing a livestock feed composition in
accordance with claim 1, wherein said cereal material comprises one
or more materials chosen from the group consisting of rice, barley,
ground barley, wheat, oats, rye, soybeans and maize.
8. A method for producing a livestock feed composition in
accordance with claim 1, wherein said organic waste material
comprises one or more materials chosen from the group consisting of
fruit pulp, swill, molasses, fish dregs and fowl droppings.
9. A method for producing a livestock feed composition in
accordance claim 1, further comprising a step, after said
incubating step, of adding one or more materials chosen from the
group consisting of a fibrous feed material, a cereal material and
an organic waste.
10. A method for producing a livestock feed composition in
accordance with claim 1, wherein said combining step comprises
adding Aspergillus to wheat bran, incubating said Aspergillus to
produce fermented wheat bran, mixing the fermented wheat bran with
a cereal material or an organic waste material and allowing to
ferment.
11. A method for producing a livestock feed composition in
accordance with claim 1, further comprising a step of adding to the
Aspergillus-containing livestock feed composition one or more
common feed materials chosen from the group consisting of barley,
rice, soybeans, maize, hay, molasses and beet pulp, such that the
Aspergillus-containing livestock feed composition constitutes at
least 5 wt % of the entire livestock feed composition.
12. A method for producing a livestock feed composition in
accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of adding one
or more common feed materials selected from the group consisting of
barley, rice, soybeans, maize, hay, molasses and beet pulp, such
that the Aspergillus-containing livestock feed composition
constitutes up to 30 wt % of the entire livestock feed
composition.
13. A method for producing a livestock feed composition in
accordance with claim 1, wherein said combining step comprises
mixing at least two types of feed materials chosen from the group
consisting of a fibrous feed material, a cereal material and an
organic waste material having a water content of 50% or less and a
starch equivalent of at least 15% or an oil content of at least 5%
and heat-sterilizing this mixture to form a culture medium, cooling
said culture medium to a temperature compatible with Aspergillus
and mixing Aspergillus into said culture medium; and said
incubating step comprises maintaining the temperature of said
culture medium and said Aspergillus in a constant temperature tank
to allow fermentation until the water content is reduced to 20 wt %
or less.
14. A method for producing a livestock feed composition in
accordance with claim 13, wherein said heat-sterilization is
performed by steam sterilization.
15. A method for producing a livestock feed composition in
accordance with claim 13, wherein the temperature is maintained
within the range of 35 to 50.degree. C. for at least 24 hours.
16. A method for producing a livestock feed composition in
accordance with claim 13, further comprising a step of combining
said Aspergillus-containing feed composition with a
high-concentration organic waste material.
17. A livestock feed composition comprising an
Aspergillus-containing feed composition obtained by combining at
least two types chosen from the group consisting of a fibrous feed
material, a cereal material and an organic waste with Aspergillus
and allowing the Aspergillus to incubate.
18. A livestock feed composition in accordance with claim 17,
wherein said Aspergillus-containing feed composition is obtained by
adding a cereal material or an organic waste material not
containing animal proteins to a fibrous feed material, for feeding
to ruminant animals.
19. A livestock feed composition in accordance with claim 17,
wherein said Aspergillus-containing feed composition is obtained by
adding a fibrous feed material or an cereal material to an organic
waste material, for feeding to swine.
20. A livestock feed composition in accordance with claim 17,
wherein said Aspergillus is chosen from the group consisting of
Asp. oryzae, Asp. awamori and Asp. sojae.
21. A livestock feed composition in accordance with claim 17,
wherein said Aspergillus is chosen from the group consisting of
Asp. oryzae kawachii and Asp. awamori kawachii.
22. A livestock feed composition in accordance with claim 17,
wherein said fibrous feed material comprises one or more materials
chosen from the group consisting of wheat bran, barley bran, rice
bran, hay and beet pulp.
23. A livestock feed composition in accordance with claim 17,
wherein said cereal material comprises one or more materials chosen
from the group consisting of rice, barley, ground barley, wheat,
oats, rye, soybeans and maize.
24 A livestock feed composition in accordance with claim 17,
wherein said organic waste material comprises one or more materials
chosen from the group consisting of fruit pulp, swill, molasses,
fish dregs and fowl droppings.
25. A livestock feed composition in accordance with claim 17,
further comprising at least one or more common feed materials
selected from among barley, rice, soybeans, maize, hay, molasses
and beet pulp.
26. A livestock feed composition in accordance with claim 25,
wherein said Aspergillus-containing feed composition constitutes at
least 5 wt % of the entire livestock feed composition.
27. A livestock feed composition in accordance with claim 25,
wherein said Aspergillus-containing feed composition constitutes
30wt % or less of the entire livestock feed composition.
28. A livestock feed composition in accordance with claim 17,
wherein said Aspergillus-containing feed composition is obtained by
mixing at least two types of feed materials chosen from the group
consisting of a fibrous feed material, a cereal material and an
organic waste material having a water content of 50% or less and a
starch equivalent of at least 15% or an oil content of at least 5%
and heat-sterilizing this mixture to form a culture medium, cooling
said culture medium to a temperature compatible with Aspergillus
and mixing Aspergillus into said culture medium; and maintaining
the temperature of said culture medium and said Aspergillus in a
constant temperature tank to allow fermentation until the water
content is reduced to 20 wt % or less.
29. A livestock feed composition in accordance with claim 28,
wherein said heat-sterilization is performed by steam
sterilization.
30. A livestock feed composition in accordance with claim 28,
wherein the temperature is maintained within the range of 35 to
50.degree. C. for at least 24 hours.
31. A livestock feed composition in accordance with claim 28,
further comprising a step of combining said Aspergillus-containing
feed composition with a high-concentration organic waste material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the priority of Japanese
Patent Application No.2000-218113 filed Jul. 13, 2000, and Japanese
Patent Application No. 2000-259985 filed Aug. 29, 2000 as provided
for by the Paris Convention, the disclosures of said applications
being incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a livestock feed
composition, particularly to a feed composition which is suitable
for the fattening of livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep, swine
and fowl, and more particularly to a livestock feed composition
using Aspergillus to increase the nutritional value. Furthermore,
the present invention relates to a livestock feed composition which
withstands long-term storage and is capable of being produced
economically.
[0003] Conventionally, maize, soybeans, barley, hay, molasses, beet
pulp and wheat bran have been used as feed for fattening livestock.
While it is the desire of livestock breeders to achieve the
expeditious fattening of livestock, giving the livestock feed that
is high in nutritional value for the purpose of fattening them can
cause them to develop diarrhea, thereby conversely impeding their
development. Therefore, the amount of nutrition which can be
supplied, and thus the rate of growth of livestock, has been
considered to be limited.
[0004] Additionally, one might consider the possibility of
fattening livestock while simultaneously reducing the cost of feed
by increasing the amount of wheat bran, which is cheap yet has high
nutritional value, but wheat bran has a high phosphorus content,
and feeding livestock large amounts of wheat bran can cause them to
develop ureterolithiasis which can lead to death, so that the
amount of wheat bran which may be safely included in feed has been
considered to be limited to about 5% of the total amount of
feed.
[0005] Furthermore, with regard to livestock such as swine and
fowl, feeding them large amounts of organic wastes such as swill
can lead to yellowing and softening of the fat in the livestock due
to the high concentration of fats included therein, thus reducing
the quality of the meat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The primary object of the present invention is to offer a
livestock feed composition which at least partially overcomes the
conventional problems described above, and a method for producing
such a livestock feed composition.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to offer a
livestock feed composition which has a high nutritional value and
promotes the fattening of livestock without causing any problems
such as ureterolithiasis or diarrhea, and a method for producing
such a livestock feed composition.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to offer a
livestock feed composition capable of maintaining a low production
cost, and a method for producing such a livestock feed composition
Another object of the present invention is to offer a livestock
feed composition suitable for the fattening of ruminant animals,
and a method for producing such a livestock feed composition.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to offer a
livestock feed composition suitable for the fattening especially of
swine or fowl, and a method for producing such a livestock feed
composition.
[0010] According to a first aspect, the present invention offers a
method for producing a livestock feed composition comprising steps
of combining Aspergillus with at least two types of feed materials
chosen from the group consisting of a fibrous feed material, a
cereal material and an organic waste material, and allowing the
Aspergillus to incubate to form an Aspergillus-containing livestock
feed composition.
[0011] In the above, with regard to ruminant animals, the present
invention offers a method for producing a livestock feed
composition wherein the step of combining comprises adding a cereal
material or an organic waste material to a fibrous feed material.
The amount of wheat bran capable of being added to feed was limited
to 5% or less due to the presence of phosphorus. However, problems
do not occur in the livestock feed composition produced by this
method, and an economical feed composition is offered.
[0012] Additionally, with regard to livestock such as swine and
fowl, the present invention offers a method for producing a
livestock feed wherein the step of combining comprises adding an
organic waste material to a fibrous feed material or a cereal
material. Conventionally, feeding livestock feed high in
nutritional value can cause livestock to develop diarrhea. However,
with the feed composition produced with the present method, it is
possible to offer a feed composition high in nutritional value and
promoting increases in the weight of the livestock without causing
any problems. Additionally, this enables the effective reuse of
organic waste which is produced in large quantities and the
handling of which is problematic. Furthermore, it is possible to
overcome decreases in meat quality by using organic waste materials
that are high in oils.
[0013] Thus, with the present invention, it is possible to
effectively produce a feed composition which is economically
produced and high in nutritional value by combining Aspergillus
with at least two types of feed materials chosen from the group
consisting of a fibrous feed material, a cereal material and an
organic waste material, and allowing the Aspergillus to incubate.
Here, the Aspergillus may include such varieties as Asp. oryzae,
Asp. awamori and Asp. sojae, which may more specifically be Asp.
oryzae kawachii and Asp. awamori kawachii.
[0014] Furthermore, it is possible to add one or a mixture of
materials chosen from the group consisting of a fibrous feed
material, a cereal material and an organic waste material after
incubation of the Aspergillus.
[0015] Additionally, as a method for more favorably overcoming the
above-described problems, a method is offered of adding Aspergillus
to wheat bran and allowing the Aspergillus to incubate to produce
Aspergillus-containing wheat bran, then mixing this
Aspergillus-containing wheat bran with a cereal material or an
organic waste material and allowing to ferment.
[0016] Furthermore, a method of producing a livestock feed material
further comprising a step of adding one or more common feed
materials selected from the group consisting of barley, rice,
soybeans, maize, hay, molasses and beet pulp is offered. In this
case, the amount of the Aspergillus-containing livestock feed
composition should preferably constitute at least 5 wt % and up to
30 wt % of the entire livestock feed composition.
[0017] Additionally, the present invention offers a method for
producing a livestock feed composition wherein the combining step
comprises mixing at least two types of feed materials chosen from
the group consisting of a fibrous feed material, a cereal material
and an organic waste material having a water content of 50% or less
and a starch equivalent of at least 15% or an oil content of at
least 5% and heat-sterilizing this mixture to form a culture
medium, cooling the culture medium to a temperature compatible with
Aspergillus and mixing Aspergillus into the culture medium; and the
incubating step comprises maintaining the temperature of the
culture medium and the Aspergillus in a constant temperature tank
to allow fermentation. With this method and under these conditions,
it was observed that it is possible to produce a livestock feed
composition which is (1) economical, (2) has high functionality and
(3) withstands long-term storage with a water content of 20% or
less. In particular, a method of adjusting the water content and
starch equivalent or oil content of an organic waste material with
a high nutritional value by means of a cereal material or a fibrous
feed material is preferable, this method allowing for
high-concentration organic waste materials which are treated as
garbage on a fee basis, that is, normally requiring treatment such
as incineration which costs money, as culture media for the
Aspergillus, and the heat of fermentation of the Aspergillus
enables a water content of 20% or less to be reached simply by
maintaining heat and ventilating with air, thereby to produce a
livestock feed composition capable of withstanding long-term
storage. If the high-concentration organic waste material has a
water content of 50% or less and a starch equivalent of at least
15% or an oil content of at least 5%, the Aspergillus is enabled to
proliferate, and the heat of fermentation of the Aspergillus
enables the water content to ultimately be reduced to 20% or less
by means only of maintaining the temperature or ventilation, thus
resulting in a livestock feed composition which is capable of
withstanding long-term storage. Additionally, according to another
embodiment of the present invention, the high-concentration organic
waste material is first steam-sterilized. This is to prevent other
micro-organisms from proliferating during the production
process.
[0018] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
after adding the Aspergillus, the temperature is maintained within
the range of 35 to 50.degree. C. for at least 24 hours for
fermentation while simultaneously reducing the water content to 20
wt % or less.
[0019] Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present
invention, an Aspergillus-containing feed composition is mixed with
a high-concentration organic waste material. This procedure enables
the water content of the feed composition to be readjusted.
[0020] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a
livestock feed composition comprising an Aspergillus-containing
feed composition obtained by combining at least two types chosen
from the group consisting of a fibrous feed material, a cereal
material and an organic waste with Aspergillus and allowing the
Aspergillus to incubate is offered.
[0021] In the above, with regard to ruminant animals, a livestock
feed composition wherein the Aspergillus-containing feed
composition is obtained by adding a cereal material or an organic
waste material not containing animal proteins to a fibrous feed
material is offered, and with regard to swine and fowl, a livestock
feed composition wherein the Aspergillus-containing feed
composition is obtained by adding a fibrous feed material or an
cereal material to an organic waste material is offered.
[0022] Furthermore, it is preferable to add Aspergillus to wheat
bran and allow the Aspergillus to incubate to produce an
Aspergillus-containing wheat bran, mix the Aspergillus-containing
wheat bran with a cereal material or an organic waste material, and
to ferment the result.
[0023] Furthermore, the present invention offers a livestock feed
composition further comprising at least one or more common feed
materials chosen from the groups consisting of barley, rice,
soybeans, maize, hay, molasses and beet pulp in addition to the
above-described Aspergillus-containing feed composition, where the
amount of the Aspergillus-containing feed composition preferably
constitutes at least 5 wt % and at most 30wt % of the overall
weight of the feed composition.
[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
livestock feed composition which is capable of withstanding
long-term storage is offered, this livestock feed composition being
obtained by mixing at least two types of feed materials chosen from
the group consisting of a fibrous feed material, a cereal material
and an organic waste material having a water content of 50% or less
and a starch equivalent of at least 15% or an oil content of at
least 5% and heat-sterilizing this mixture to form a culture
medium, cooling the culture medium to a temperature compatible with
Aspergillus and mixing Aspergillus into the culture medium; and
maintaining the temperature of the culture medium and the
Aspergillus in a constant temperature tank to allow fermentation
until the water content is reduced to 20 wt % or less.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a graph showing a comparison of the average weight
over a period of five months between swine given standard feeds
according to their stage of development, and swine given a feed
containing, in addition to the above-described feed, a feed
composition according to the present invention comprising a feed
composition treated with Aspergillus in an amount of 15% with
respect to the total amount of feed, as shall be explained below in
Example 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Herebelow, a preferred embodiment of the present invention
shall be explained.
[0027] In the livestock feed composition producing method of the
present invention, at least two types of feed composition raw
materials chosen from among a fibrous feed material, a cereal
material and an organic waste material are mixed together. Examples
of such fibrous feed materials are wheat bran, barley bran, rice
bran, hay and beet pulp. Examples of cereal materials are rice,
barley, milled barley, wheat, oats, rye, soybeans and maize.
Examples of organic wastes include those such as are often produced
in the food industry, livestock industry, fishing industry or from
the household, including fruit pulp residue left after squeezing
out the juice, food scraps, molasses, fish dregs and fowl
droppings. These raw materials can be selected as appropriate to
the practitioner in accordance with various considerations such as
the type of livestock which is to be fed, and the availability,
cost and nutritional value of the raw materials.
[0028] Whereas any two or more of the above types of raw materials
may be chosen, ruminant livestock should preferably be given a feed
composition that includes at least a fibrous feed material, and
swine should preferably be given a feed composition that includes
at least an organic waste material. For example, in a feed
composition that is optimized for ruminant animals, the raw
material should preferably include as an essential ingredient a
fibrous feed material in an amount of approximately 10-90%, more
preferably 30-70%/o, and mixed therein a cereal material and/or
organic waste material in an amount of 10-90%, more preferably in
an amount of 30-70%. On the other hand, a feed composition that is
optimized for swine should preferably include as an essential
ingredient an organic waste material in an amount of approximately
10-90%, more preferably 30-70%, and mixed therein a fibrous feed
material and/or cereal material in an amount of 10-90%, more
preferably 30-70%. In this case, the water content should be 50% or
less, preferably 25-40%, this being adjustable according to the
selection of raw materials, their proportional content and level of
dryness. Furthermore, it is preferable for the starch equivalent to
be at least 15% or the oil content to be at least 5%. These can be
adjusted particularly easily by a combination of rich organic waste
materials with a cereal material and/or fibrous feed material.
[0029] Additionally, each raw material is pretreated as needed to
be able to be used as a feed material. This pretreatment can, for
example, be sterilization, which can be performed by
high-temperature sterilization, particularly steam sterilization.
Steam sterilization is performed at 100.degree. C. for 30
minutes.
[0030] Next, after cooling to a temperature allowing for growth of
Aspergillus, preferably 30-40.degree. C., the mixture is seeded
with Aspergillus (e.g., in a matrix inoculated with Aspergillus
spores and dried, or the spores themselves), and well mixed.
Examples of Aspergillus include Asp. oryzae, Asp. awamori, and Asp.
sojae, more preferably Asp. oryzae kawachii and/or Asp. awamori
kawachii (both available from Kirishima Kogen Beer KK). The
Aspergillus may also be added in the form of a pre-seeded culture,
such as a culture grown on wheat bran. The amount of Aspergillus
added need not be a lot because they will proliferate during the
production process, but it is of course allowable to add a large
amount. The amount of Aspergillus added in spore form with respect
to the weight of the entire composition should be, for example,
0.01-0.5%, and preferably it is added in an amount of approximately
0.1%, this being an amount which ensures smooth progression of the
procedure but is not wasteful.
[0031] It is preferable next to cool the composition down to
30-35.degree. C. While this cooling process can be performed by
means of any method, it should preferably be performed by air
circulation in order also to supply oxygen which aids in the
development of the Aspergillus.
[0032] Additionally, a mixed feed composition may be produced by
adding Aspergillus to one type chosen from among the group
consisting of a fibrous feed material, a cereal material and an
organic waste material as the raw material in the above-described
process, then subsequently adding one or more other raw
materials.
[0033] A few hours after seeding, the activity of the Aspergillus
will generate heat, and the composition temperature will rise.
[0034] Thereafter, it is preferable to maintain the heat by means
of a constant temperature tank or the like. The preferable
temperature range is 35-50.degree. C., this being capable of being
achieved by cooling with ventilation or the like.
[0035] When the Aspergillus has begun fermenting, the heat of
fermentation causes the moisture to evaporate. Therefore, the
procedure can be stopped upon reaching the water content which is
desirable in the feed composition. Typically, the water content
should be 30% or less, more preferably 20% or less. For example,
when maintaining the temperature at around 35-45.degree. C., the
water content is reduced to 20% or less by maintaining this
temperature range for at least 24 hours.
[0036] Alternatively, it is possible to add a fibrous feed
material, cereal material or preferably an organic waste material
with a high water content upon reaching a water content of
preferably around 20% or less, then mixing to adjust the water
content to approximately 30% to continue fermentation, and
repeating this procedure numerous times.
EXAMPLES
[0037] Herebelow, the present invention shall be described in
further detail by means of examples. The present invention is of
course not restricted to these examples.
Example 1
[0038] Herebelow, a method for production of a fermented wheat bran
is given as a typical example of a base feed composition which can
be used in the present invention.
[0039] (1) 50 kg of swill were added to 100 kg of wheat bran, and
the water content was adjusted to 35%.
[0040] (2) The result was sterilized with steam at 100 degrees for
30 minutes.
[0041] (3) After cooling to 40 degrees, 100 g of Aspergillus were
sprayed thereon.
[0042] (4) The result was further air-cooled to 35 degrees.
[0043] (5) 6 hours after spraying with Aspergillus, the activity of
the Aspergillus generated heat and the temperature of the product
gradually rose.
[0044] (6) Thereafter, the product was air-cooled to maintain the
temperature within the range of 35 to 50 degrees.
[0045] (7) 60 hours after addition of the Aspergillus, the water
content reached about 20%.
[0046] (8) 20 kg of swill were added and the result mixed to adjust
the water content to around 30%.
[0047] (9) The Aspergillus became active once again, and the water
content reached 20% after 24 hours.
[0048] (10) Steps 8 and 9 were repeated for about 2 weeks,
whereupon the feed composition was completed.
Example 2
[0049] Additionally, in order to compare the components of wheat
bran and wheat bran treated (fermented) with Aspergillus, a
fermented wheat bran was produced with Aspergillus and the
components compared with common untreated wheat bran.
1TABLE 1 Comparative Analysis of Wheat Bran and Fermented Wheat
Bran (all numerical values in wt %) Normal Wheat Bran Fermented
Wheat Bran Crude Protein 17.7 19.5 Crude Fat 4.7 4.7 Soluble
Non-nitrates 61.4 57.6 Crude Fiber 10.5 11.2 Crude Ash 5.7 7 ADF
14.1 14.6 NDF 38.9 44
[0050] Table 2 shows the results of a more detailed analysis.
2TABLE 2 Comparison of Content of Wheat Bran and Fermented Wheat
Bran (all numerical values in ppm except where otherwise specified)
Normal Wheat Bran Fermented Wheat Bran Vitamin A retinol <3
<3 Vitamin A .beta.-carotene 6 7 Vitamin A provitamin <10
<10 Vitamin B.sub.1 0.52 0.51 Vitamin B.sub.2 0.39 0.15 Niacin
0.8 0.8 Total Vitamin C 2 4 .mu.g/100 ml -- Aspartic acid 198.7 --
Threonine 219.1 460 Serine 160.9 550 Glutamic acid 757.8 -- Proline
164.2 -- Glycine 332.9 780 Alanine 994.4 -- Cystine 3.8 250 Valine
241.6 660 Methionine 23.2 180 Isoleucine 90.9 490 Leucine 442.1 870
Tyrosine 104.2 360 Phenylalanine 31.7 560 .gamma.-aminobutyric acid
54.3 -- Histidine 45.7 400 Ornithine 1.3 -- Lysine 211 610 Ammonia
-- -- Tryptophan 0 200 Arginine 401.9 1000
[0051] As shown above, fermented wheat bran does not have any major
differences from untreated wheat bran aside from the fact that the
protein content has increased by about 2%. With regard to amino
acids as well, fermented wheat bran has more glutamic acid, but
aside therefrom, untreated wheat bran actually has the higher amino
acid content. In terms of vitamins, fermented wheat bran simply has
twice as much vitamin B2 as does wheat bran.
Example 3
[0052] In order to gauge the effectiveness of a livestock feed
composition containing a fermented wheat bran as described above,
1, 100 heads of cattle were fed a mixture of an energy feed of
corn, soybeans, barley, hay, molasses, beet pulp and the like with
fermented wheat bran in an amount of 30 wt % overall.
[0053] As a result, the following remarkable effects were
obtained:
[0054] (1) the odor of the manure was reduced;
[0055] (2) the number of cattle having diarrhea over the course of
a year was zero;
[0056] (3) diarrhea did not occur in the most crucial development
period of calves born to cows eating this feed composition; and
[0057] (4) the time until market delivery was shortened by 2-4
months.
[0058] That is, although no considerable differences were seen in
the components of wheat bran and fermented wheat bran in the
component analysis, there was a marked difference in the effects on
the livestock gained by adding fermented wheat bran to the feed
composition.
[0059] Additionally, 4 heads of cattle were given a feed
composition containing fermented wheat bran in an amount of 10% of
the overall weight of the feed composition beginning at 12 months
from birth, and their development was observed, upon which the
bulls were seen to grow by 580 kg in 610 days, a rate of 0.95 kg
per day, whereas cattle given normal feed without any fermented
wheat bran added grew by 440 kg in 610 days, a rate of 0.72 kg per
day.
[0060] As is clear from the above results, the provision of a feed
composition containing fermented wheat bran results in an increase
of at least 30% of the body weight over the conventional feed. That
is, when fermented wheat bran is added to the feed composition, the
growth of the cattle is also remarkable in comparison to the case
where normal untreated wheat bran is used.
[0061] These results seem to suggest that the cattle growth effects
due to the fermented wheat bran in this case are not brought about
by the nutritional value residing in the fermented wheat bran, but
rather the digestion promoting effect of enzymes, improved immune
response and a growth promoting effect due to an unknown growth
factor believed to originate in Aspergillus.
[0062] The same effect can be obtained not only from wheat bran,
but also using such fibrous feed materials such as barley bran,
rice bran, hay and beet pulp, so that an outstanding livestock
fattening effect and anti-diarrheal effect can be obtained with
feed compositions containing these materials as well. Furthermore,
the same effects can be obtained using feed compositions containing
cereals such as rice, barley, ground barley, wheat, oats, rye,
soybeans and maize, and organic waste such as fruit pulp, food
scraps and molasses which have been fermented as described
Example 4
[0063] A livestock feed composition containing Aspergillus
according to the present invention having swill as its main
constituent was fed to pigs for the purpose of fattening.
[0064] The following table shows a comparison of the average body
weight over a period of 5 months of pigs given a diet of
conventional feed, and pigs given a mixed feed composition
containing the feed composition of the present invention in an
amount of 15% with respect to the total weight.
3TABLE 3 Comparison of Body Weights of Pigs Body Weight (kg) Date
Conventional Feed Feed of Present Invention Dec 11 64 67 18 66 69
25 68 70 Jan 2 73 74 9 79 76 16 85 79 23 91 81 30 95 83 Feb 6 98 87
13 102 89 16 102 93 20 103 96 22 105 99 27 105 104 Mar 4 106 106 7
107 109 11 107 110 18 108 112 19 108 115 25 109 118 Apr 1 110 119 8
111 122 9 111 126 15 111 129 22 112 130 23 112 131 24 131
[0065] Additionally, FIG. 1 shows the above-given data in the form
of a line graph.
[0066] These results indicate that in comparison to the pigs which
were fed the conventional feed, the pigs fed the feed composition
according to the present invention exhibited more stable and fuller
development.
[0067] Furthermore, in general, when the weight of a pig exceeds
100 kg, there tends to be a lot of fat, lowering the quality of the
meat. However, the pigs fed the feed composition of the present
invention had a lot of flesh and were of extremely good quality.
The following table shows the results of an analysis of the meat
quality.
4TABLE 4 Type of Feed Market Weight (kg) Fleshy Weight (kg) Present
Invention 127-135 85-91 Conventional Feed 100-115 70-75
[0068] While the pigs used in the above example were of the
Berkshire variety, the same effects can be obtained in other
varieties of pigs as well.
[0069] In a similar manner, a livestock feed composition containing
Aspergillus having swill as the main constituent was fed to
chickens. While chickens given normal feed grew to an average of
4.5 kg in two months, those given the feed composition of the
present invention attained an average of 6 kg over the same period
of time, thus demonstrating its fattening effect. Furthermore,
whereas fattened chickens normally collect a large amount of fat
around the heart, this was not observed in those fattened on the
feed composition of the present invention, these chickens being of
very good quality with little fat.
[0070] The raw material used for the production of the feed
composition in the present invention can be such as to use any one
of the above-described materials alone, or in a mixture of a
plurality of these materials. When using raw materials with low
starch content such as fruit pulp, it is preferable to use them in
a mixture with raw materials rich in starches such as wheat bran
and rice bran. Additionally, with regard to the Aspergillus, any
type including Asp. oryzae, Asp. awamori and Asp. sojae can be
used.
[0071] In summary of the above test results, by mixing the
livestock feed composition of the present invention with
conventional livestock feed, it was possible to obtain the effects
of:
[0072] (1) not causing ureterolithiasis even when adding the
livestock feed composition of the present invention in an amount of
up to 30% of the total amount of the feed composition;
[0073] (2) largely reducing the odor of manure;
[0074] (3) preventing diarrhea;
[0075] (4) preventing disorders of the digestive organs; and
[0076] (5) a 20% increase in growth rate due to the provision of
the livestock feed composition of the present invention in an
amount of at least 10%.
Example 5
[0077] Furthermore, the basic conditions for producing the
livestock feed composition of the present invention were confirmed
by means of experiments.
[0078] As the raw material for the culture, wheat bran (starch
equivalent 53.4%) and cedar shavings (starch equivalent 0%) were
used.
[0079] The wheat bran and cedar shavings were mixed together, water
was added to each and the water content was adjusted to 42%. The
proportion of wheat bran and cedar shavings in the mixture was set
so that the overall starch equivalent after adjusting the water
content was 35%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15% and 10%.
[0080] Next, these were sterilized in an autoclave at 105.degree.
C. for 15 minutes.
[0081] After sterilizing the culture media and cooling to
42.degree. C., 0.1 wt % of Aspergillus spores were well -mixed
therein, the results were cooled to 32.degree. C. and held inside a
constant temperature tank set at 32.degree. C. The time required
for these to reach 45.degree. C. due to the heat of fermentation of
the Aspergillus was as given in the following table.
5TABLE 5 Starch Equivalent 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% Required Time 12
12 12 12 18 --
[0082] As is clear from the above-given table, there is almost no
heat from fermentation by the Aspergillus when the starch
equivalent of the culture medium is less than 15%, thus indicating
that the starch equivalent required for healthy fermentation is at
least 15%. If the starch equivalent of the culture medium is at
least 15%, the fermentation of the Aspergillus progresses and as a
result heat is generated, this heat of fermentation being capable
of being used to remove the moisture from the feed composition.
Furthermore, it was found that similar effects could be obtained by
using oils instead of starches, the value in this case being at
least 5%.
[0083] These experimental results indicate that a livestock feed
composition enabling long-term storage and having high
functionality can be produced by fermenting a high-concentration
organic waste material with the water content adjusted to 50% or
less and the starch equivalent to at least 15%, then using the heat
of fermentation to lower the water content to 20% or less.
[0084] Next, livestock feed compositions were produced according to
various examples, and their production cost was computed.
Example 6
[0085] Production of Livestock Feed Composition from Swill
[0086] Swill: Water Content 75%, Starch Equivalent 35%
[0087] Wheat Bran: Water Content 13%, Starch Equivalent 53.4%
[0088] One ton of each was mixed together to make the water content
44% and the starch equivalent 44.2%.
[0089] This was steam-sterilized, then cooled to 40.degree. C., and
1 kg of spores were added.
[0090] After 12 hours, the temperature rose to 45.degree. C., so
that ventilation was performed thereafter to maintain the
temperature within a range of 35.degree. C. to 50.degree. C. for 60
hours. As a result, 1.24 tons of a dry feed composition capable of
withstanding long-term storage with a water content of 16.2% and
starch equivalent of 64.5% was obtained.
[0091] The amount of power needed was 72 kilowatts, 401 of fuel.
When calculating the operating costs assuming 11 yen per kilowatt
and 50 yen per liter of fuel, 2,792 yen were required to produce
1.24 tons of livestock feed composition.
[0092] An accounting of the production costs is given below. All
prices are given as figures per ton for ease of understanding.
6 Wheat Bran Purchasing Price: 20000 yen/ton Swill Collecting Fee:
-10000 yen/ton Operating Cost: 2792 yen Aspergillus: 500 yen/kg
Produced Feed Weight: 1.24 kg
[0093] The production cost for 1.24 tons of a livestock feed
composition produced in this way can be computed as follows:
[0094] Production Cost (per 1.24 tons)=Wheat Bran Purchasing Price
(1 ton)-Swill
[0095] Handling Fee+Operating Cost+Aspergillus Purchasing
Price=20000-10000+2792+500=13292 yen
[0096] Production Cost (per ton)=13292/1.24=10719 yen
[0097] This cost can be considered to be an extremely low cost
which is substantially less than the average purchasing price, when
considering that the average purchasing price of a livestock feed
composition is from 20000 to 50000 yen.
Example 7
[0098] A livestock feed composition was further produced from the
livestock feed composition produced in Example 6 and swill.
[0099] Fermented Swill: Starch Equivalent 64.5%, Water Content
16.2%
[0100] Swill: Starch Equivalent 35%, Water Content 75%
[0101] One ton of each was mixed together to make the water content
50% and the starch equivalent 45%.
[0102] This was fermented with 1 kg of Aspergillus by the same
process as in Example 6, to obtain 1.2 tons of a livestock feed
composition with a water content of 16.8% and starch equivalent of
75.3%.
[0103] The energy fees required for operation were about the same
as in Example 6.
[0104] The production costs can be calculated as follows:
[0105] Production Cost (per 1.2 tons)=Fermented Swill Production
Cost-Swill Handling
[0106] Fee+Operating Cost+Aspergillus Purchasing
Price=10719-10000+2792+50- 0=4011 yen
[0107] Production Cost (per ton)=4011/1.2=3342 yen
[0108] In Example 6, wheat bran (purchasing price 20000 yen per
ton) were used as the materials for the culture medium, but in
Example 7, the livestock feed composition (production cost 10719
yen per ton) was used instead of the wheat bran of Example 6 to mix
with the swill, thus further reducing the production cost.
Example 8
[0109] A livestock feed composition was further produced from the
livestock feed composition produced in Example 7 and swill.
[0110] Aside from the fact that the livestock feed composition
produced in Example 7 was used, the energy fees required for
operation were basically the same as in Examples 6 and 7.
[0111] In this case, the production cost can be calculated as
follows.
[0112] Production Cost (per 1.2 tons)=Fermented Swill Production
Cost-Swill Handling
[0113] Fee+Operating Cost+Aspergillus Purchasing
Price=3342-10000+2792+500- =-3366 yen
[0114] Production Cost (per ton)=-3366/1.2=-2805 yen
[0115] This result shows that a livestock feed composition can be
obtained wherein a profit of 2805 is already gained simply by
producing 1 ton of livestock feed, which means that the livestock
feed composition does not have a production cost, but rather runs
on a profit, which has heretofore been unthinkable.
Example 9
[0116] A livestock feed composition was produced in the same manner
as Example 6, by adding 1 ton of wheat bran to 800 kg of apple
juice residue.
[0117] Apple Juice Residue: Starch Equivalent 13%, Water Content
81.6%
[0118] Wheat Bran: Starch Equivalent 53.4%, Water Content 13%
[0119] Mixture: Starch Equivalent 35.4%, Water Content 43.4%
[0120] From this mixture, 1.1 tons of a livestock feed composition
with a water content of 17.3% and a starch equivalent of 50% was
produced. The energy costs required for this were roughly the same
as in Example 6, at 2800 yen.
[0121] The fee for handling the apple juice residue was 10000 yen
per ton. That is,
[0122] Production Cost=Wheat Bran Purchasing Price-Residue Handling
Fee+Operating
[0123] Cost+Aspergillus Purchasing Price=20000-10000+2800+500=13300
yen
[0124] Production Cost (per ton)=13300/1.1=12090 yen
[0125] In this case also, a livestock feed composition was obtained
at 12090 yen per ton which is considerably less than the price for
purchasing wheat bran (20000 yen/ton).
Example 10
[0126] 1 ton of fish dregs were used to produce a similar livestock
feed composition.
[0127] Fish Dregs: Starch Equivalent 0%, Water Content 51%
[0128] Wheat Bran: Starch Equivalent 53.4%, Water Content 13%
[0129] 1.6 tons of a livestock feed composition with a water
content of 18.7% and a starch equivalent of 29.9% was produced from
this mixture. The energy fees required for this procedure amounted
to 2300 yen.
[0130] The fee for handling the fish dregs was 15000 yen per
ton.
[0131] Production Cost=Wheat Bran Purchasing Price-Residue Handling
Fee+Operating Cost+Aspergillus Purchasing
Price=20000-15000+2800+500=7800 yen
[0132] Production Cost (per ton)=7800/1.6=4875 yen
[0133] As is clear from the above-described examples 6 through 10,
the fees for handling high-concentration organic waste which has
been considered to be troublesome in the past can be used to
produce an extremely cheap livestock feed composition which has not
been conventionally known.
[0134] Compared to the conventional art, the production cost
reducing effect of the present invention can be analyzed as
follows.
[0135] First, with regard to feed production, most techniques for
making feed out of high-concentration organic wastes used
conventionally are such as to dry them physically. The cost can be
approximated by computing the amount of thermal energy needed to
evaporate away the moisture based on evaporative thermal conversion
of the water contained in the waste. that is, the cost for drying
swill with a water content of 70% is at least 10000 yen per ton
considering only the energy fees. From 1 ton of swill,
approximately 350 kg of dry feed can be produced. The energy fees
are canceled by the fee of 10000 yen for handling the swill. That
is, the sum of the material fees and processing fees (energy fees)
required for producing 1 ton of feed becomes 0 yen, and the
production cost for the resulting dry feed is 0 yen.
[0136] In contrast, according to the present technique as shown in
Examples 2 and 3, the production costs are actually reduced at each
production, and the production costs are negative. That is, a
profit can be made even if the livestock feed composition is given
away for free. Additionally, whereas the conventional art simply
dries the swill, the feed composition according to the present
invention has greater effects than conventional feeds, by improving
the fattening effect of livestock. That is, the method of the
present invention not only enables production of a fermented
livestock feed composition at a cheaper price than conventional
methods, but also offers a livestock feed composition which has a
cheaper production cost than even common feed compositions which
are not fermented.
[0137] On the other hand, while the production of fertilizers is
known as another way of processing organic waste materials, the
most common process for forming fertilizer is composting. The
drawbacks of this method are (1) that a long period of at least 6
months is necessary to produce a completely fertile compost that
does not cause nitrite-nitrogen contamination of the soil, (2) that
the minerals which are contained therein are not decomposed and (3)
that it is not applicable to waste materials that have a high water
content. In contrast, the process for producing a livestock feed
composition according to the present invention, due to the
inclusion of minerals which are necessary for livestock, makes it
unnecessary to separately supply the livestock with salts.
* * * * *